Dirt Bike FAQ

Depends on what you want to do with the bike.
I have a Honda XR100 and love it (I am 5'10" and weigh 220!), but you will out grow it quick at your age.

I have a Yamaha YZ 125 and it may be too much for you as a beginner, plus it is a two stroke with little power at the low rev range.

I have a Suzuki DRZ 400 and it is really a great all around dirt bike. Will not motocross, but again it depends on what you want to do.

With all the above done for reference, I would suggest any four stroke in the 125 range if you are short or if you don't think you need an aggresive race/trails bike. Plus they are light and easy to ride. If you think you will progress to need a faster more capable machine buy a four stroke 250.
Any manufacturer will be a good choice.
I prefer the Suzuki though.

Hope this helps.

Well a 150 4 stroke doesn't have a lot of power, a 250 4- stroke has a lot more than that 150 and you wouldn't ever really out grow a 250, i'm 6'3 and 185 pounds and I love my 250's and 450's and the newer 250 4 strokes have some balls. So upgrade to one of those and you'll be happy. Now how to convice mommy, sell your 150 as soon as possible while it's still worth something, dirt bikes don't hold value long and then get a 250, even if you have to get a lesser year you'll still be alright, things havn't changed that much they're still fast and great handling. I'd go with eithe ranother honda or a yamaha and even a suzuki, I like them all and have riden or test rode most of them, yamaha probably the fastest of them all for the same class of engine, honda and suzuki tied for me and kawasakis…pfft I've never liked them.

I think the reliability would be very close, but the Yamaha has been the leading 125 for the last few years. They make an incredible 125 machine. Yamahas and KTMs are by far the most popular 125s at all the tracks I frequent.

I have an off brand unit that I bought from www.retrobikes.com and it has the larger engine with 4 speed and clutch. It cost me about $1500 (with delivery) in 2003 and it still runs great today! I've had absolutely no problems with it. If you look at any new bikes (in a 125cc size) brand new in a Honda, Yamaha or Suzuki, you're going to spend well over $2000. Also, depending on how big you are (weigh) and how you intend to ride (beat the crap out of it –vs–just to have fun and cruise around and NOT let your friends ride it) will also determine how long anything you buy will last. Craigslist is a good source for used and you may find a good deal or not. Don't be afraid to bargain. (Cash talks) Good luck.

With you leg and your foot generally it's not that hard unless your tiny then you just don't

Go in to your local motorcycle shop and ASK a salesman. They deal with these every day. They can recommend something and you can see it for real in front of you. Take the boy with you. You do not have to buy anything! Then you can look in the want ads or place ads for a used one. I have many years of riding and have owned about 10 different bikes. I started on a suzuki 90. It was street legal. I bought a yamaha 90 enduro for my nieces and nephew. I took them out in the country and put the bike up on and old plastic milk carton making sure the wheels didn't touch it. This way after lots of DRY runs, I could start the bike up and then they could get the feel of shifting. When I was convinced they knew how to shift and could manage the brake ( me saying STOP at any given time while they were practicing with it running) then I could turn them loose in an open field. All of them did excellent with proper training. I would say start him on something like an 80 or a 90.

Good Luck!!!!!

There are many of them world wide, especially with the outbreak of all the Chinese clone bike manufacturers. The big 5 are Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki and KTM.

You havent stated your age, height and weight,

i will assume you are an adult >>(involved with Harleys)

anyway if you want a good muck around bike with power and speed check out these models: the ones in brackets r road registable

Honda (Xr 250) > Crf 250 these are four strokes
Yamaha Yz250f > (Wr 250) these are 4 strokes

Honda Cr 125 Yamaha Yz 125 Kawa Kx 125 Suzuki Rm 125

These are the 2 stroke range if your starting out theres more than enuf speed and power in these to keep you satisfied,

These are all potential bike you will want to move up from after a while so i suggest buy an old model, still reliable and thousands cheaper

Check these up on ebay so you know what they are > the most common reliable

gd luck

Man, try your local dealer. Most dealers now a days understand that tires are going to be a loss leader item and use them to gain customers.

I sell tires at $10 over cost everyday, and can get anything you want THAT IS AVAILABLE (think about the resent Dunlop strike) in two days or less.

There is no point supporting another dealer or mail order company when you can keep your dollars in your area. Try it, you might be surprised!

I learned on a 90 years ago, i ride a cr250X now . this bike is mostly for off-road adventures-not pit or track. looking back, i shouldve picked a kawi125 ( i weighed 165 @5'11" back then-200 now

my wife feels "underpowered with the 90" but she can't really control the 250 that good,plus she kills my tires easily, she has been riding for about 3 years now ( 200 hours a year, she weighs 110).

if i had to buy another for my wife it would be the cr150F, this would be perfect for her.